The Detroit Lions’ offensive line uncharacteristically struggled against the Green Bay Packers.
Both Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell did not have one of their better performances.
As a result, Jared Goff was pressured all throughout the game, and turned the football over on multiple occasions.
“I think it’s just like the same as every week,” Sewell told All Lions, when asked about the offensive line’s mindset this week. “We just try to be the best and be clean, and definitely want to answer with the bad taste in our mouth from the last game.”
Sewell has quickly emerged as one of the top right tackles in the entire National Football League. So, to witness the talented right tackle being pushed backwards forcefully at times was an uncommon sight.
The Oregon product has an 88.9 overall Pro Football Focus grade, but earned just a 65.8 pass-blocking grade in Week 12.
“I feel like that’s all you can do is kind of just learn from it. If you start just focusing on the negatives, you’re not really putting great energy and your time management into getting better,” said Sewell. “I think that’s the main part this week. So, we’re just taking it like that.”
Time off after the Packers loss allowed the former first-round draft pick to reflect and gain answers through introspective questioning.
Sewell noted, “For myself, I think it just is kind of like a little fresh breath of air, to be honest. Got some time to really just dig into the deeper question of like, ‘Why? Why that game? Why that kind of performance? Why was my body feeling some type of way?’ And just kind of answering those little questions to kind of add up to what really happened. And so, that’s what kind of helps for me.”
Quarterback Jared Goff reiterated his trust for the offensive line, and indicated the entire team is looking forward to correcting mistakes and playing better the final month of the season.
“They’re good. They’re so dang good. I know they didn’t have their greatest day,” Goff told reporters. “I’m sure they’d say that, but all of us didn’t have our greatest day. We all want to bounce back and play well this week. I know the leadership in that room will take care of that, and I trust those guys more than anybody.”
With Jonah Jackson returning, a stabilizing force, it should allow the offense to play with more rhythm. This should allow Goff and his many weapons to execute the gameplan.
“Jonah is an important piece to our puzzle, man. When he’s out there, it’s different. And, what he brings is stability,” said Sewell. “Just knowing that he’s a different type of player. Not many at all can do what he does, and he does it at such a high level. So, I’m just glad that we got him back, and we’ll ball.”
Dan Campbell expressed that one-on-one battles in practice this week would sharpen fundamental skills and identify areas of concern to shore up over the next couple of weeks.
This week, Sewell battled Aidan Hutchinson, who is also working to finish plays in order to increase his sack total.
“Every time we battle, it’s iron sharpens iron,” Sewell explained. “So, I just try to do my best to give him the best look possible. And, he does the same for me. And, we both want to win, and we’re very competitive. So, that makes it an even better matchup.”
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